Three RiversHudson~Mohawk~SchoharieHistory From America's Most Famous Valleys

The Women
of the American Revolution
by Elizabeth F. Ellet
Third Edition
New York: Baker and Scribner
1849.

HANNAH
ERWIN ISRAEL

ABOUT the close of the year 1777, while the commander-in-chief
of the British forces was in possession of Philadelphia, a foot passenger
might have been seen on the road leading from Wilmington to that city. He
was a young man of tall figure and powerful frame, giving evidence of great
muscular strength, to which a walk of over thirty miles, under ordinary circumstances,
would be a trifle. But the features of the traveller were darkened by anxiety
and apprehension; and it was more the overtasking of the mind than the body
which occasioned the weariness and lassitude under which he was plainly laboring.
His dress was that of a simple citizen, and he was enveloped in a large cloak,
affording ample protection against the severity of the weather, as well as
serving to conceal sundry parcels of provisions, and a bag of money, with
which he was laden. It was long after dark before he reached the ferry; but
renewed hope and confidence filled his heart as he approached the termination
of his journey.

Sir William Howe, it will be remembered, had entered the capital
towards the end of September, after much manreuvring and several battles-Washington
having made ineffectual efforts to prevent the accomplishment of his object.
He was received with a welcome, apparently cordial, by the timid or interested
citizens. His first care was to reduce the fortifications on the Delaware,
and remove the obstructions prepared by the Americans to prevent the British
fleet from ascending the river. While Fort Miffiin at Mud Island, and Fort
Mercer at Red Bank, were occupied by their garrisons, he could have no communication
with his fleet, and was in danger of being speedily compelled to evacuate
the city. Count Donop, detached with the Hessian troops to take possession
of the fort at Red Bank, was repulsed and mortally wounded. The invader's
fortune, however, triumphed; and the Americans were finally driven from their
posts. Their water force was compelled to retire from the fire of the batteries;
and the British at length gained free communication, by way of the Delaware,
between their army and the shipping. Thus the reverses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
had cast a gloom over the country, which could not be altogether dispelled
even by the brilliant victories of Saratoga and the capture of Burgoyne and
his army. The condition of the American army, when it retired into winter
quarters at Valley Forge, was deplorable enough to change hope into-despair,
and presented truly a spectacle unparalleled in history. "Absolute destitution
held high court; and never was the chivalric heroism of patriotic suffering
more tangibly manifested than by that patriot-band within those frail log
hilts that barely covered them from the falling snow, or sheltered them from
the keen wintry blasts." This privation of necessary food and clothing
during one of the most rigorous winters ever experienced in the country-this
misery-the detail of which is too familiar to need repetition, was endured
by the continental soldiers at the same time that the English in the metropolis
were revelling in unrestrained luxury and indulgence. * Many whig families,
meanwhile, who remained in Philadelphia, plundered and insulted by the soldiers,
wanted the comforts of life, and received assistance clandestinely from their
friends at a distance.

To return to our narrative. When the traveller arrived at the
ferry, he was promptly hailed by the sentinel, with" Who goes there?"

" A friend," was the reply.

" The countersign !"

The countersign for the night was promptly given.

* Marshall's MS. Journal says,-December 28th,
1777, "Our affairs wear a very gloomy aspect. Great part of our army
gone into winter quarters; those in camp wanting breeches, shoes, stockings
[and] blankets, and by accounts brought yesterday, were in want of flour."
* * * "Our enemies revelling in balls, attended with every degree of
luxury and excess in the city; rioting and wantonly using our houses, utensils
and furniture; all this [and] a numberless number of other abuses, we endure
from that handful of banditli, to the amount of six or seven thousand men,
headed by that monster of rapine, General Howe."

" Pass, friend!" said the soldier; and the other went
on quickly.

Israel Israel was a native of Pennsylvania. He had left America
at twenty-one, for the island of Barbadoes; and by nine or ten years of patient
industry had amassed considerable property. He returned rich to his native
country; but in a few months after his marriage the war broke out, and his
whole fortune was lost or sacrificed by agents. He had resolved, with his
brother, at the commencement of the struggle, to take up arms in the cause
of freedom. But the necessity was imperative that one should remain for the
protection of the helpless females of the family; and their entreaties not
to be left exposed to a merciless enemy without a brother's aid, at last prevailed.
Israel and Joseph drew lots to determine which should become a soldier. The
lot fell upon the younger and unmarried one. At this period the residence
of Israel was on a small farm near Wilmington, Delaware. His mother had removed
with her family to Philadelphia, her house at Newcastle being thought too
much exposed in the vicissitudes of war. After the occupation of the capital
by the British, they endured severe hardships, sometimes suffering the want
of actual necessaries. Israel watched over their welfare with incessant anxiety.

The knowledge that his beloved ones were in want of supplies,
and that his presence was needed, determined him to enter the city at this
time, notwithstanding the personal hazard it involved. One of his tory neighbors,
who professed the deepest sympathy for his feelings; procured for him the
countersign for the night. He had thus been enabled to elude the vigilance
of the sentinel.

When arrived at his mother's dwelling, Mr. Israel found that
it was in the possession of several soldiers, quartered upon the family.'
Among them was a savage looking Hessian, with aspect of itself quite enough
to terrify timid women. But all annoyances, and the fatigues of his long walk,
were forgotten in the joyful meeting. A still more pleasing surprise was reserved
for him; his young brother, Joseph, was that very hour on a secret visit to
the family. For some hours of the evening the household circle was once more
complete.

But such happiness, in those times of peril, was doomed to
be short-lived. At eleven o'clock, while the family were seated at supper,
the tramp of horses waR heard without; and the rough voices of soldiers clamored
at the door. Within, all was confusion; and the terrified women entreated
the brothers to fly. They followed the younger with frantic haste up the stairs,
where he left his uniform, and made his escape from the roof of the house.
The knocking and shouting continued below; Israel descended, accompanied by
the pale and trembling females, and himself opened the door. The intruders
rushed in. At their head was the Hessian sergeant, who instantly seized the
young man's arm, exclaiming, "We have caught him at last-the rebel rascal!"

Mr. Israel's presence of mind never forsook him under the most
appalling circumstances. He was sensible of the imminence of his own danger,
and that his brother's safety could be secured only by delay. He shook off
the grasp of the officer, and calmly demanded what was meant, and who it was
that accused him of being a rebel.

" There he is!" replied the Hessian, pointing to
Caesar, a slave Mr. Israel had brought from the West Indies, and given his
mother for a guard.

The master fixed upon the negro his stern and penetrating look
so steadfastly, that Caesar trembled and hung his head. " Dare you, Caesar,
call me rebel?" he exclaimed. "Gentlemen"-the muscles of his
mouth worked into a sneer as he pronounced the word-" there is some mistake
here. My brother Joe is the person meant, I presume. Let me fetch the uniform;
and then you can judge for yourselves. Caesar, come with me.

So saying, and taking the black by the arm with a vice-like
grasp, he led him up stairs. "Not one word, you rascal," was whispered
in his ear, "or I kill you upon the spot." The negro drew his breath
hard and convulsively, but dared not speak. The uniform was produced and exhibited;
and Israel made efforts to put it on before his captors. The person whom it
fitted being short and slight in figure, its ludicrous disproportion to the
towering height and robust form of the elder brother, convinced the soldiers
of their mistake; and the sergeant made awkward apologies, shaking the hand
of the man he had so lately called a rebel, assuring him he had no doubt he
was an honest and loyal subject; and that he would take care his fidelity
should be mentioned in the proper quarter.

"And now," he said, "as your supper is ready,
we will sit down." He seated himself beside his host, whose resentment
at the familiarity was tempered by the thought that his brother was saved
by the well timed deceit. The ladies also were compelled to take their places,
and to listen in silence to the coarse remarks of their unwelcome guest. With
rude protestations of good will, and promises of patronage, he mingled boastful
details of his exploits in slaughtering "the rebels," that caused
his auditors to shudder with horror. Mr. Israel used to relate afterwards
that he grasped the knife he was using, and raised it to strike down the savage;
but that his mother's look of agonized entreaty withheld the blow. The Hessian
continued his recital, accompanied by many bitter oaths.

"That Paoli affair," cried he, "was capital!
I was with General Grey in that attack. It was just after midnight when we
forced the outposts, and not a noise was heard so loud as the dropping of
a musket. How the fellows turned..out of their encampment when they heard
us! What a running about-barefoot and half clothed-and in the light of their
own fires! These showed us where to chase them, while they could not see us.
We killed three hundred of the rebels with the bayonet; I stuck them myself
like so many pigs-one after another-till the blood ran out of the touchhole
of my musket."

The details of the Hessian were interrupted by Mr. Israel's
starting to his feet, with face pale with rage, convulsed lips, and clenched
hands. The catastrophe that might have ensued was prevented by a faint shriek
from his young sister, who fell into his arms in a swoon. The sergeant's horrible
boastings thus silenced, and the whole room in confusion, he bade the family
good night, saying he was on duty, and presently quitted the house.

The parting of those who had just gone through so agitating
a scene was now to take place. Caesar was sternly questioned, and reprimanded
for his perfidy; but the black excused himself by pleading that he had been
compelled to do as he had done. For the future, with streaming eyes, he promised
the strictest fidelity; and to his credit be it said, remained steadfast in
the performance of this promise.

Having bidden adieu to his family, Mr. Israel set forth on
his journey homeward. He arrived only to be made a prisoner. The loyalist
who had given him the countersign, had betrayed the secret of his expedition.
He and his wife's brother were immediately seized and carried on board the
frigate Roebuck, lying in the Delaware, a few miles from the then borough
of Wilmington-and directly opposite his farm-in order to be tried as spies.

Being one of the "Committee of Safety," the position
of Mr. Israel, under such an accusation, was extremely critical. On board
the ship he was treated with the utmost severity. His watch, silver shoe-buckles,
and various articles of clothing were taken from him; his bed was a coil of
ropes on deck, without covering from the bitter cold of the night air; and
to all appearances his fate was already decided. The testimony of his tory
neighbors was strong against him. Several were ready to swear to the fact,
that while the loyal population of the country had willingly furnished their
share of the provisions needed by the ships of war, he had been heard to say
repeatedly, that he "would sooner drive his cattle as a present to General
Washington, than receive thousands of dollars in British gold for them."

On being informed of this speech, the commander gave orders
that a detachment of soldiers should proceed to drive the rebel's cattle,
then grazing in a meadow in full view, down to the river, and slaughter them
in the face of the prisoners.

What, meanwhile, must have been the feelings of the young wife-herself
about to become a mother-when her husband and brother were led away in her
very sight? The farm was a mile or more from the river; but there was nothing
to intercept the view-the ground from the meadow sloping down to the water.
Mrs. Israel was at this period about nineteen years of age; and is described
as of middle height, and slight but symmetrical figure; of fair complexion,
with clear blue eyes and dark hair; her manners modest and retiring. She was
devoted to her family and her domestic concerns. It needed the trying scenes
by which she was surrounded, to develop the heroism which, in times more peaceful,
might have been unmarked by those who knew her most intimately.

From her position on the look-out, she saw the soldiers land
from the ships, shoulder arms, and advance towards the meadow. In an instant
she divined their purpose; and her resolution was taken. With a boy eight
years old, whom she bade follow her at his utmost speed, she started off,
determined to baffle the enemy, and save the cattle at the peril of her life.
Down went the bars, and followed by the little boy, she ran to drive the herd
to the opening.

The soldiers called out repeatedly to her to desist, and threatened,
if she did not, to fire upon her.

" Fire away!" cried the heroic woman. They fired
! The balls flew thickly around her. The frightened cattle ran in every direction
over the field.

" This way!" she called to the boy, nothing daunted;
"this way, Joe! Head them there! Stop them, Joe! Do not let one escape
!"

And not one did escape! The bullets fired by the cowardly British
soldiers continued to whistle around her person. The little boy, paralyzed
by terror, fell to the ground. She seized him by the arm, lifted him over
the fence, and herself drove the cattle into the barnyard. The assailants,
baffled by the courage of a woman, and probably not daring, for fear of the
neighbors, to invade the farm-houses, retraced their steps, and returned disappointed
to the ship.

All this scene passed in sight of the officers of the "Roebuck"
and the two prisoners. The agony of suspense and fear endured by the husband
and brother, when tbey saw the danger to which the wife exposed herself, may
he better imagined than described. It may also be conceived how much they
exulted in her triumph.

The trial was held on board the ship. The tory witnesses were
examined in due form; and it was but too evident that the lives of the prisoners
were in great danger. A kind-hearted sailor sought an opportunity of speaking
in private with Mr. Israel, and asked him if he were a freemason. The answer
was in the affirmative. The sailor then informed him that a lodge was held
on shipboard, and the officers, who belonged to it, were to meet that night.

The prisoners were called up before their judges, and permitted
to answer to the accusations against them. Mr. Israel, in bold but respectful
language, related his story; and acknowledged his secret visit to Philadelphia,
not in the character of a spy, but to carry relief to his '5utfering parent
and her family. He also acknowledged having said, as was testified, that"
he would rather give his cattle to Washington, or destroy the whole herd than
sell them for British gold." this trait of magnanimity might not have
been so appreciated by the enemies of his country, as to operate in his favor,
but that-watching his opportunity, he made to the commanding officer the secret
sign of masonic brotherhood. The effect was instantly observable. The officer's
stern countenance softened; his change of opinion and that of the other judges,
became evident; and after some further examination, the court was broken up.
The informants, and those who had borne testimony against the prisoners, hung
their heads in shame at the severe rebuke of the court, for their cowardly
conduct in betraying, and preferring charges against an honorable man, bound
on a mission of love and duty to his aged mother. The acquitted prisoners
were dismissed, loaded with presents of pins, handkerchiefs, and other articles
,not to be purchased at that time, for the intrepid wife; and were sent on
shore in a splendid .barge, as a mark of special honor from the officer in
command.

Such was the adventure in which the courage and patriotism
of the subject of this notice was displayed. The records of the Grand Lodge
of Pennsylvania, of which Mr. Israel was Grand Master for many years, bear
testimony to his having been saved from an ignominious death by masonry. Mrs.
Israel's family name was Erwin; her ancestors were Quakers who came with Penn,
her parents native Americans; and she herself was born in Wilmington, Delaware.
Her first meeting with her husband was romantic enough. Mr. Israel had sailed
in a sloop, or packet, from Philadelphia, to visit New Castle, where his mother
and family resided. He observed on deck an extremely pretty girl, hardly seventeen
years of age, and very neatly and tastefully dressed, with the finest turned
foot and ankle in the world. All who went on such voyages were then obliged
to furnish themselves with provisions; and his attention was drawn by the
young girl's kindly distribution of her little stock, handing it about from
one to another, till but little was left for her own portion. In passing him,
she modestly hesitated a moment, and then offered him a share. This led to
conversation; he learned that she was the daughter of highly respectable parents,
and resided in Wilmington. Love at first sight was as common in those days
as now. After seeing his mother, he visited Wilmington; became better acquainted,
offered himself and was accepted; and on his marriage, rented the farm above
mentioned, and commenced life anew. It may be proper to mention here-that
the castle from which the town of New Castle took its name, was in very early
days the property and residence of his ancestors. Subsequently he became the
purchaser of the old castle; and remove4 the .tiles that covered it, with
the vane that graced it, to his country-seat, where part of them, several
hundred years old, are still to be seen.

Mr. Israel died in 1821, at the age of seventy-eight. The death
of his wife took place at his country-seat near Philadelphia, at the age of
fifty-six. She was the mother of thirteen children, many of whom died young.
But two are now living-and reside in Philadelphia. One of them is the accomplished
lady-herself the wife of a gallant officer thirty-five years engaged in the
service of his country-from whom I received these particulars.

To this glance at the condition of some of the citizens of
Philadelphia at that time, may be added a description, from a lady's letter
to her friend, of the first entrance of the British army into the city.

" We had for a neighbor, and an intimate acquaintance,
a very amiable English gentleman, who had been in the British army, and had
left the service on marrying a rich and excellent lady of Philadelphia, some
years before. He endeavored to give my mother confidence that the inhabitants
would not be ill-treated. He advised that we should be all well-dressed, and
that we should keep our houses closed. The army marched in, and took possession
of the town in the morning. We were up stairs, and saw them pass to the State
House. They looked well-clean and well-clad; and the contrast between them
and our poor barefooted and ragged troops was very great, and caused a feeling
of despair. It was a solemn and impressive day; but I saw no exultation in
the enemy, nor indeed in those who were reckoned favorable to their success.
Early in the afternoon Lord Cornwallis's suite arrived, -and took possession
of my mother's dwelling. But my mother was appalled by the numerous train
in her house, and shrank from having such inmates; fm a guard was mounted
at the door, and the yard filled with soldiers and baggage of every description;
and I well remember what we thought of the haughty looks of Lord Rawdon and
the other aid-de-camp, as they traversed the apartments. My mother desired
to speak with Lord Cornwallis, and he attended her in the front parlor. She
told him of her situation, and how impossible it would be for her to stay
in her own house with such a train as composed his lordship's establishment.
He behaved with great politeness to her; said he should be sorry to give trouble,
and would have other quarters looked out for him. They withdrew that very
afternoon, and we felt glad of the exemption. But it did not last long; for
directly the quartermasters were employed in billeting the troops, and we
had to find room for two officers of artillery; and afterwards, in addition,
for two gentlemen, secretaries of Lord Howe."

" General Howe, during the time he stayed in Philadelphia,
seized and kept for his own use Mary Pemberton's coach and horses, in which
he used to ride about the town."

" My wife," says Marshall in his manuscript diary,
February 14th, 1778," looks upon every Philadelphian who comes to see
us as a person suffering in a righteous cause, and entitled to partake of
our hospitality." Tradition has preserved, in several families, anecdotes
illustrative of the strait to which even women and children were then reduced.
One of Mary Redmond may be mentioned. She was the daughter of a patriot somewhat
distinguished among his neighbors in Philadelphia. Many of her relatives were
loyalists; and she was playfully called among them "the little black-eyed
rebel." She was accustomed to assist several, women whose husbands were
in the American army, to procure intelligence. The despatches were usually
sent from their friends by a boy, who carried them stitched in the back of
his coat. He came into the city bringing provisions to market. One morning,
when there was some reason to fear he was suspected, and his movements watched
by the enemy, Mary undertook to get the papers in safety from him. She went,
as usual, to the market, and in a pretended game of romps, threw her shawl
over the boy's head, and thus secured the prize. She hastened with the papers
to her anxious friends, who read them by stealth, after the windows had been
carefully closed. When the news came of Burgoyne's surrender, and the whig
women were secretly rejoicing, the sprightly girl, not daring to give vent
openly to her exultation, put her head up the chimney and gave a shout for
Gates.